Teaching a new caster.. Tips

[Brian K. Shaffer]

A couple of tips that will help you out teaching any new fly caster :

# 1 - Have them hold a rod and wiggle this rod and direct the fly rod into numerous different directions without any fly line onto the rod. This will help them grasp the understanding that this rod is longer and much more difficult to control than anything else they have ever felt.

# 2 - While casting, have the student tuck the rod butt end into their own sleeve. This will prevent lots of problems and promote proper casting technique.

# 3 - Never take the rod out of the students hands, unless to show a certain cast - but if you are teaching - you should have a rod to and just perform the cast withtout needing 'thier' rod.

# 4 - Cast.. CAST.. and cast some more. Teach that learning is fun and that simple casting close in is better.

Most of all, teach them all to have fun while casting / learning / making mistakes.

best fishes - Brian

[riverrat]

I have one question-can a fifty something klutz learn to use a fly rod?

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Riverrat, don't know about a fifty something, but a fourty something can! I just started fly fishing four years ago and I can honestly say I haven't picked up a conventional rod since. It's the greatest thing going! My wife just started last year and she's having a blast too. We'll spend hours in the yard just casting. Give it a try, I promise you'll like it.

[riverrat]

Okay, how do I get started? I have a fly rod that I bought from a friend about ten years ago. It's a graphite rod with 8578 stamped on it. I'm assuming the 85 is the length-what is the 78? I also need to know the best fly line to learn to cast with. I plan to use it on smallmouth in the rivers- is the rod too heavy for this purpose? I'd hate to have to buy a new rod as one of my New Years resolutions was to quit spending soooo much money on fishing. The reason I haven't used it yet is I had a run in with a flyfisherman about 10 years ago-right after I bought the rod. That's another story, I would never intentionally step on anyone's toes. Maybe we could start a discussion on fishing etiquette. If you give examples of rude behavior, also explain what that person should have done. Remember we all have to share a limited resource and it gets more crowded every day. EDUCATE ME

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

I'm going to venture a guess that the 78 refers to the weight of the rod. If I'm right it would be a 7 or 8 weight rod. I'm going to defer to someone that knows more about bass fishing for the question about "is this to heavy." I wouldn't think so, but don't know for sure. As for getting started. I would suggest taking a lesson or two. If your close to Bennet Spring contact Jim Rodgers at the park store. He does a great job. He's the one that started my wife. Good luck and maybe we can meet sometime and do some fishing.

[Danoinark]

Typically when you see that kind of designation 78 or 7/8 that would mean it will cast a 7 or 8 weight line.

And to go even further, it's designation can also mean that it is designed to cast a 7 wt weight forward floating line, or an 8 weight double tapered line. Either way it will probably cast a 7 or 8 in any design and configuration. That would be an ideal smallie rod. Does it have a brand name?

Dano

[riverrat]

hello dano-thanks for the information. The name on the rod is Killwell-made in New Zealand.

[LostMyWife]

Brian

I read a post yesterday that talked about the position of the rod tip in correlation to the water when you begin the cast. (Low and close to the water) It talked about the loop. Do you swing the rod out to form a "D" or do you take it straight back so that the loop looks like an "S". I realize my letters are not the right way to put it, but I couldn't think of a better way without a picture.

One more thing. Should I be using a WF line to fish at Taney, or does it really matter for a new caster?

[Rusty]

I think what you are talking about is a roll cast.

[LostMyWife]

Russ

Your PM was right on.

I will wait for the video, and go from there.

I need to start looking at the dates before I reply to posts. I had no idea this was so old.